About Me

Claiming my fair share of webspace, my kenzie's doodles site chronicles the journey in life with our daughter. And, wRy Baby Adventures is a similar depiction of life with our son.
Mama's Doodles is the outlet for my pent up creativity.
Together, we enjoy making each day artful. These sites represent our daily doodles...

Friday, May 26, 2006

Biker Babes

Last night, Doug and I bought Kenzie a bike helmet and a kid seat to be attached to Mama's bike. We took our first bike ride today and Kenzie LOVED it. It was a fun first for us.

Kenzie rode along singing "WHEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee. THIS is FUuuuuuuUn!!!" And, "I'm flying like a bird!!" We had a nice ride on flat terrain while I tried to remember how to switch my gears without dropping the chain...and getting over the freak out feeling of: "I can't fall...I can't fall. I can't fall with my baby on the back!!"

If only I could have shot her face while we were riding. Those smiles were priceless.

We'll see if I can walk properly tomorrow, having used muscles that had gone long unused. We enjoyed quite the long ride! At a certain point, I told her - "Phew! Mama's getting tired!" She patted my behind from the back and said "I tiiiiiiired too."

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

another day...another bug hunt

We had a lovely, lovely, lovely time with Kenzie's cousins in Chicago. But now that we no longer have them as playmates - we're back on the bug hunt.

Every day, we commence with the bug hunting whenever we go outside. This girl is a total tomboy I tell ya. Here she is calling to the bugs (she doesn't "get" the cupping of the hands part when amplifying one's voice yet). She yells: "OooooOOhh...BUuuuuuUg. Wherrrrrre ARE yOOOOOOu???"

We've discovered that there are a mother-load of rolie-polie-olie's under some plant life at the front of our house. Poor guys get no peace now. Kenzie takes them out for a play and then returns them when they are "sleepy."

We collect them in a bowl and walk around with them like they are the bestest of friends. I've gotta get this kid a bug catcher box!

She has absolutely no fear of bugs, but seems to get that I don't want her anywhere near Spiders. Fortunately, we haven't had any spider face-offs yet. Of course, my biggest fear is that she'll bond with a angry bug one of these days - and learn the hard way that not all bugs are good buddies.

We then commence with loading the bugs onto the trike for a ride, or perhaps bringing them in the stroller for a walk (where we avidly search for MORE bugs lying in unlucky wait on the sidewalks).

Today, during our walk I found a ladybug, which rode on the stroller for a good while. Kenzie was majorly PO'd when the Ladybug spread her wings and took off. She now expects that ladybugs should magically appear as easily as rolie-polie-olie's tend to.

We read ladybug, ladybug - fly away home when we came inside. What a creepy story! I don't think that was the magical solution to helping her understand where the ladybug disappeared to... Er, um, is she under a frying pan??

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Story time shocker

I have A LOT of books for Kenzie. Mainly so, because Doug and I get tired of reading them over and over. Last night, she pulled three from the assortment (three is our magic number of books before bedtimes). I began reciting one from memory while I changed her diaper and got tripped up on a line. I paused accidentally fumbling for the book...and she recited it perfectly on my behalf. I then proceeded with reading and stopping near the end of ALL the lines and letting her finish each sentence. I was amazed. She knew them all.

I picked up another book and did the same thing...with the same result.And, another...I then chose a prayer book that I rarely read, unless she requests it. Same result.

Daddy came home about this time from a late business function and I showed him how our new game worked.We both agreed that it was amazing...but just a little creepy! We read very complex books, many of which had rhyming lines - (therefore giving her some clue as to the cadence of the line end). Granted, we've read each of these books countless times so they are not unfamiliar to her...

But what a realization for me. I had no awareness (even being a former professional working in the child development field!) that the toddler mind was quite this sponge-like. She's truly soaking it ALL up...

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Mama's Day

Everyone always tells you that you'll respect your mother more when you become one yourself. Duh, it's true! My Mom is amazing and is earning more and more credit with me as Kenzie ages. I can't say how many times I've had an "A-ha!" moment of realization about WHY she did something the way she did.

As I struggle to feed Kenzie well, I envision the well-rounded meals my mother made me. I never realized just how difficult it can be to insure all the food groups are present.

As I enjoy making Kenzie clothing, I remember all the little outfits my Mom made for me. She tells me that she made my clothes by hand rather than buying from a store - until I told her to stop. I think she did it out of necessity as she didn't have the financial freedom to run off to a store, as I do. But, just the same - I think the special made outfits are so much better today for my girl.

I also remember going to bed when it was still light outside. Although Kenzie has a routine bedtime of 8:00, I now understand why some days my mom insisted on an early bedtime. It's called sanity. And sometimes a mother just needs those kid(s) to go. to. bed. already.

My mom was an excellent role model for how I wish to parent Kenzie. I've just become an at-home parent myself, as my mother always was - and I full heartedly believe that I'm the best person to fill Kenzie's days. My mother made a lot of sacrifices to be an at-home parent and thus far, I haven't sacrificed much (aside from a lucrative salary and the fullfillment of leading a challenging job).

My mom was (and is) very artsy/crafty as well, and I imagine I found passion in that through her example. She invested her energies in making things for sale - and I'm lucky enough to do it out of sheer enjoyment. So, I find myself pondering our similarities, yet different purposes. I admire her strength, being a Cancer survivor, and a woman who has weathered numerous challenges. She's much more of a woman than I can truly admit to being - and I absolutely admire her.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Child Speak

Kenzie is really focusing on our replies and making mental notes for herself to mimic our statements in every day life. My two favorites right now are: You are Silly.I forgot.

When Kenzie gets crazy, I apparently have a habit of telling her: "You are silly." She replies with: "No! YOU are siwee." And round and round we go. I always let her have the last word/giggle on that one.

Today, I don't remember the context in which it occurred, but she picked up "I forgot." Her reply to everything after that point was (obviously): "I fogot." I heard her talking herself into naptime...chanting: "I fOgot. I fogOt. I foGot." It sounded like she was trying to get just the right emphasis on just the right part of the word in order to make it more dramatic. (Or, maybe she was just trying to work in that missing "r"...)

Okay, I lied. I have another favorite. When the room looks messy - I'll grin and say: "WHO made all this mess??" Kenzie will reply with (scanning the room for something to place the blame): "Did Cesi (our naughtiest cat) do it? Noooooo. Did Lijum (the stuffed lion) do it? Nooooo. Did Daddy (who's at work) do it? Nooooo. Did Kenzie do it?"

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Birthday Girls.

Tomboy

Although the Kenzie-doodle enjoys getting princessy, she's also showing signs of being an extreme Tomboy. Her friend, Mia, (who was born five minutes after Kenzie) screams when she sees a bug flying in the next yard. Kenzie will make friends with the bug, cook it (pretend) breakfast, and relocate it into the house.

There were no bugs harmed in this episode... (for once).

Conversations overheard between Kenzie and the Ant:Ant is swimming! (The bug was found in a puddle in Kenzie's swimming pool)Hi...Ant. Hiiiiii!Wanna Come Too?Go to sleep Ant... (which was really a beetle, by the way...)Wanna snack?Ant tickle tickle.. Gotta be gentle.

However, as you may have suspected - that darn bug wasn't very talkative in return.Kenzie is also known for hauling earthworms around for hours - usually not ending well for the earthworm. Heaven forbid she ever encounters a dangerous bug/spider. She has no fear.

Monday, May 08, 2006

Signing...

When Kenzie was very little, I started using basic sign language with her. My "vocabulary" was small, but she picked up on several "words" way before she could ever say them. She'd use the signs for "milk," "eat" and "drink" fairly frequently. I do think that these few signs decreased the frustration she had about not being able to communicate her needs.

Since then.. and her vocabulary development, I've kind of dropped the use of sign language (bad, lazy Mama!!)- but she really gets into watching two sign language videos we have. She gets all excited about signing the words and does use some of them throughout the day on sporadic occasion.

Here is: BookHere is: DinosaurHere is: ButterflyHere is: bird

These seem to be her favorites throughout the videos. Mouse is pretty cute too, and I saw her using the sign at the birthday party we attended this past weekend. The poor kid she was talking to - had no idea why she was flicking her finger along her nose though!!!

Friday, May 05, 2006

Sleepy

I've consulted my archives and note that in December of 2005, I stated that Kenzie was having some sleep issues. It seemed that she wanted to check in with me at night - as her Daddy had already moved. I thought she was feeling some seperation anxieties as result and needed to verify that I was still there.

So, the sleepless nights began WAY BACK then. Since then, our family has been reunited, fully moved into our new home, and we have seemingly adjusted to a new way of life.Except. Kenzie. is. still. not. sleeping. through. the. night.

Now.... we're blaming allergies. It seems that she was waking herself up with a sniffle or a cough and noticing us that she was awake by shouting: "blow my nose!!!" or "I want MILK." However, the cough is now gone...and we're still being awakened at night for "I want milk."

It's been five months now, and apparently in those five months we have born a child who doesn't sleep through the night. Now, this doesn't happen every night mind you -- just 2-3 (+/-) times a week. But those 2-3 times a week are making me crazy.

Last night was one of them, and as usual, she seems to be sleeping in today, rather than getting up at her normal 6:30 or 7:00. After the third call of "Mama, where ARE you?" - I frankly told her that it was "night-night time, there would be no more milk, and I would NOT be coming back in her room. GO. TO. SLEEP."

I shut off the monitor in our bedroom and went to sleep. And, apparently, so did she.

Looks like things are going to have to get ugly before they get better. And, they've got to get better before we'll consider a toddler bed. Without the cage (crib) - she'd be in our room a zillion times a night. And, we are not a family that sleeps well together.

We have also learned that our neighbors are on the same monitor frequency as we are (we've heard their newborn a few times and they tell us that they hear Kenzie). It is very inhibiting in how we handle the nights. This means the neighbors hear her yelling for us. Which means they hear us trying to convince her to sleep. Which means I try to avoid the power struggle that might result in crying -- out of courtesy for them. Which means we are breeding some bad habits. Time for a new monitor!!

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Losing control.

Just for the record:Kenzie chose this outfit all on her very own. I actually talked her out of a second layer of pink pants --after-- we put them on and she discovered how uncomfortable two layers were.

As much as I (personally) hate stereotypical girlie pink colors AND properties (Nemo, Barbie, etc.) this child will choose them over anything else in her closet (except for a ladybug raincoat and boots. They are always a clear winner).

I like this outfit much better, however, than I like having -a tent- erected in my breakfast nook.And, would the Birthday balloons.. just. die. already??

Monday, May 01, 2006

Kenzie's Vacation Home

This past weekend I visited a garage sale and found this little cottage. For an undisclosed sum of money (meaning I don't know if it was truly a good deal or not!), we've put it in our backyard in the space under one of the decks.

A Mama's adventures with child, life & art.
~Each day is an entirely new creation~ This site content is mine and is the personal life story of my daughter. You may NOT link to this site, posts, or images without permission.